Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-11-24

Of the Christmas festivities has reminded Alexan-
drs's merchants that they must give motto, to
the masses of the people that they are prepared
for the usual rush. The evidence of this will be
found in the columns Of the GAZETTE the old
established paper of this section. 1t is read by
thousands every day, both within and without the
city, its circulation extending generally through
out this part of the State. A word to the wise is
sufficient.
MAJOR" BURGESS AGAIN.-"Major" B.
J. Burgess, who is well known in Alexsn-
dria, is in trouble again, this time in New
Orleans. where he is just out of jail. The
major" lighted in the Crescent City about
three weeks ago as Colonel He said that
he came from Chicago, and designed open
Ing military academy in New Orleans. He
took lodgings in fashionable quarter, and
after looking about few days he completed
arrangements for the lease of large build
inc and sent out circulars for the Crescent
Military Academy" of which heannounced
himself as Principal. A few days after that
he leased % store. stating that he intended
to open wholesale grocery aud commits
sion house He purchased handsome furn-
iture and fitted up the place, for all of which
he promised TO pay. Then he engaged four
Young men to solicit consignments, had bill
and letter heads printed, not even paying
for the paper and sent his employees out on
the road He dressed well aud succeeded
10 putting himself on terms with quite
number of society people, and was about
consummGtiug be purchase OF horse and
iumper-sll except paying for it, when his
career was cut short by HE arrest. One Of
his agents named Laudner was given a
check for $50, aud Mr.. Bitterwolf csshed
it. es It was efter banking hours. Burgess
called on Ritterwolf the following morning
and asked him not to present the
check as he would settle on Friday.
BURGESS solicitors meantime had started on
the road and arranged for number of con.
-ignments, principally lumber. One car
load was shipped aud several Others were
promised Sawmill owners also agreed to
s.nd consignments. Brooms, buckets, tubs,
etc " ere ordered, but the firms would not
send the goods until they were paid for. He
succeeded in arranging for the shipment of
seven carloads of lumber, which he sold and
forwarded to New York. Burgess stated
that he had plenty of money, and that his
wife was exceedingly wealthy in Virginia,
where be also had rich brother. He pur-
chased goods right and left but none were
delivered, and he was not at all Higgardiy
10 issuing checks on banks at none OF which
he had any account. On the day Of his ar
rest he had promised to settle an account of
$65, but failed, and accordingly was arrested
charged with obtaining money by false pretenses
aud taken to Jail. When the arrest was published
people to whom he was indebted began calling at
his store. A half barrel of honey and a clerk in
very disagrecable predcament was all they could
find except the office furniture. Saturday morn
ing Burgess 4as arraigned before the Recorder,
sudR cd to check
Clshed by him. As Burgess had not rendered the
check Tor payment and had not received the
money, he VS. aequittcd. Among other storlcs
told by the "M~ior' 10 the effect that he
had q vessel Oh the way from jamaica. laden with
bananas aud tropical fruits. When urged to tele
graph to his brother To help him out OF his
troubles he answered that his brother was at the
mill, in Virginia miles away from telegraph
stttol. His wife he said. wa travelling fer
pleasure and ho had not heard from heT ioT some
time and did no; know where she WIS After his
release Saturday nothing has been heard OF him.
He has probaby gone IN search of other pastures
green.
THE STEAMER ROUTES upon the Potomac
river are becoming more and more import
ant. The increase of the population at
Washington and the very considerable
growth ofthe Potomac counties of Maryland
and Virginia on the riveiside make each
year the movement of the passengers and
freight on the river of greater volume. From
single steamer that was devoted to this
trade before the war there has pow grown
Il fleet of steamers that connect the lower
river and the bay with this city and Wash
ington. The Baltimore trade with the 20.
iomac. which in those days was conducted
by The steamer Columbia, is still carried on
by the steamer Sue, but no little of the Bal
lmore trade is in freiehts carried by the
Washington steamers which connect at the
wharf of Shepherds Station OF the Baltimore
and Ohic Railroad with the Monumental
City The trade for The present year is very
near it's end aud the season will soon close,
but il is expected that next season will show
largely increased volume of business. 1t
is said that some new steamers will then be
put on the river The Alexandria and
Washington ferry managers, as heretofore
stated, contemplate the building OF two fast
iron steamers for the ferry route. If Con-
gress will make an appropriation for keep
ing open channel from Washington to the
sea from one years end to the other these
boats might be built as ice.breakers.
The r & D. R. R-Rumors relating to
prospective changes in the Richmond and
West Point Terminal management Travelled
thick and fast in Wall street, New YORK,